Dear Brothers,

It is our sad duty to inform you about the passing away of Bro. Kees Buitenhof on February 21, 2018.

The text of the mourning card reads as follows: 

"  Congregation of the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

       '  We are still connected by soul with you

          from whom we say goodbye

          and who was so dear to us in life and death

          and is and will remain.   '     (H. Stufkens)

With sadness we inform you that we have to say goodbye to our dear family member and faithful fellow brother

BROTHER KEES BUITENHOF FIC

Cornelis Gerardus

He was born on April 20, 1934 in Haarlem. At his profession on August 15, 1954 he took the name of Bro. Gerontius. Strengthened by the anointing of the Sick he passed away on February 21, 2018 in Residential Care Centre De Beyart in Maastricht.

The educational career of Bro. Kees started in Nijmegen in primary education. Shortly afterwards he moved to Maastricht to impart knowledge to children, at what then was called B.L.O. (special primary education), which he also did a few years later in Veghel.

In 1967, the General Council instructed him to prepare for his transfer to Pakistan, an Islamic country, where the brothers were not allowed to teach, but where they could support the Catholic community by catechetical and pastoral work.

In 1983 Kees repatriated to The Netherlands and settled in the community at Roomtuintjes in Amsterdam, where he and a number of fellow-brothers presented religious life and offered their services to the people in the neighbourhood. After the period in Amsterdam, Kees moved to Rotterdam and through the 'French Second Hands Foundation', focused on supporting the less fortunate in that city.

After the suppression of the FIC community in Rotterdam he settled in the Mother House in Maastricht.

We lose in him a fellow brother who devoted himself, without many words, to supporting the weak in our society and he was highly appreciated by them. That he may now be included in the glory of the Eternal to whom he has dedicated his life.

We say goodbye to Brother Kees during the Eucharistic celebration on Tuesday, February 27, 14.30 pm in the chapel of De Beyart. Afterwards the funeral will take place at our brother's cemetery near the Anjoulaan in Maastricht.

On behalf of the FIC Congregation and the Bernardus-community:

Bro. Wim Luiten, Coordinator Religious House FIC The Netherlands

Prins Bisschopsingel 22, 6211 JX Maastricht.

On behalf of the family:

Mr. Gerard Buitenhof,

Meerdijkpark 24, 5151 KG  Drunen    "

So far the mourning card.

For a photograph of Bro. Kees we refer you to the attachment.

May he now rest in heavenly peace.